Apparatus for reforming can bodies



Aug. 13, 1935. GRAY 2,010,816 I APPARATUS FOR REFORMING CAN BODIES FiledAug. 13, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORW Aug. 13, 1935.

Filed Aug. l5, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 13, 1935- J. A. GRAY IAPPARATUS FOR REFORMING CAN BODIES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 13, 1932ATTORNEY Aug. 13, 1935.

APPARATUS FOR REFORMING CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 15, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 5v Q. /6 A, BY

V A Z/ O ATTORNE J. A. GRAY 2,010,816 A Aug. 13, 1935 JLA. GRAY2,010,816

APPARATUS FOR REFORMING CAN BODIES Filed Aug. 13, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 6INVENTOR ATTORNE stage.

Patented Aug. 13, 1935 PATENT OFFlCB APPARATUS Jam nrrsoaiinno CANBODIES Jjamcs A. Gray,;San Francisco, Califi assignor to AmericanCanfCompany, New York N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey ApplicationAugust 13, 193,2,Seria1No- 628,701

.The present invention relates toan apparatus for reforming can bodiesfrom a preliminary flat shape into a cylindrical or other final formsuch as'is universally found in the tin can of com' 'merce. a In themanufacture of tin cans itis oftendesirable that economy of packing andshipping be provided for and this may be done by shipping the can bodieswhile Such flattened bodies are adapted to .be i

in a preliminaryfiat or flattened first reformed or rounded into thefinal body shape and are then supplied with an endor bottom to producethe desired can. The apparatus of the present invention isforefliciently and rapidly effecting this reforming stage in the cansmanufacture. Thepresent invention concerns itself entirely with theconversion of the flattened. or flat can bodies into cylindricalor'other .desiredshape and this without regard to the 'manufacture orprovision of; the bodies in flattened condition. The principal object ofthe is the provision of an apparatus for rapidlyyreforming can bodies insubstantially continuous successive steps by feeding the bodies fromelement to element. through a reforming matrix which is of substantiallyflattened oval shape in vision of a prebending'orhowing station in anap-( paratus designedtofeed flat can bodies from a magazineandintoandthrough a reforming ma- .gtrixgthe prebending-operationbowingparts of the canbody as an incidental stepto'thereforming actionor" the matrixreforming elements. A further object of the invention isthe provision of an apparatus for-reforming fiat can mbodies wherein aseries of reforming rollers is utilized in a manner providing a taperedmatrix through which the can bodies are passed, the

sizaposition and'movement oi the re forming rollers drawing the bodiessuccessively through each reforming unit, the passing of the bodies intoeach unit being at a different speed of travel from lineal travel of theengaging roller surfaces, this eature insuring "the proper separaiio ofcan bodies throughout the-reforming igoperation,

An import it ohjcctjio'tfthe invention the provisiono nprovedfeeding.devices, in an apparatus of the character described, forseparating afiat body from a stack of can bodies gin a magazine and for moving itintoa prepresent invention ing station; and

' in stack. formation within a magazine.

'19 Claims. (cuss-e2) bending or bowing station where it is accuratelycentered and then subjected to a preliminary bendingoperation prior tobeing brought into position for its travel through the reforming matrix.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparentas it is better understood from the following description, which, takenin' connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferredembodiment'thereof;

Referring 'tothe drawings: r

Figure l is a plan View partiallybroken away of a preferred'form ofapparatus;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View taken substantially along theline 2-45 inFig. 1; i

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantiallyialong the line3--3. in Fig. 1 and illustrating the mechanism at the prebending orbowing station;

Fig. 4 isan enlarged transverse sectional View taken substantiallyalongthe broken line 4-4 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged'transver'se sectional View takensubstantiallylalong the broken line 5-5 in.Fig.1; 1' I I Fig. 6isanenlarged transverse sectional view taken substantially 'along the brokenline 6-45 in Fig. 1; I

Fig. "I, 8 and19uare transverse sectional details taken substantiallyalongthe broken line 1--'| in Fig. 6, the three views illustratingdifferent positions of apart of themechanism at the prebend- Figs. .10,.ll and 12 are fragmentary schematic. detailspshowne generally inelevation, and illustrating the flattened can body in its relation topartsof the prebending mechanism as assumed respectively in the steps ofoperation shown in .Figs. .7, 8 and 9.

"The apparatus illustrated in the drawings dis-f closes a preferredembodiment of the invention in which flat or'fiattened can bodies arestored A'recip-Q rocating feeding device operating transversely of themagazine shears the lowermost body from the bottom of thestack and movesit into a station for a prebending operation.

The flat or flattenedcan body handled in'this way has relatively fiatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts. Spring presseddogs are used'with the reciprocating feeding device and'these engage oneof the rounded connecting curved-parts of the can body as an incident toremoval from the stack. Using the curved part in this manner insurespositive en whether the fiat parts of the body are close together aswhen collapsed or whether the body is more open.

At the prebending station the forward sharply curved part of the body,opposite to that engaged by the feeding dogs, is engaged by oscillatingfingers which are cam controlled to shift back to recheck the can bodyand bring it into proper alignment. A pair of spaced slide members islocated at this station, one member of the pair being adjacent each openend of the aligned can body.

Each slide is cam operated and carries an anvil and a pair of centeringspears and both spears and anvils are pointed at their inner ends. Asthe slide members move toward each other the two centering spears oneach side enter into the opposed sharply curved connecting body parts.In the innermost position of the slides the two opposed anvils are fullyinserted within the open ends of the can body.

Each slide carries an upper andv lower die member spaced respectivelyabove and beneath an associated anvil. The die members are also camoperated and when moved close upon the engaged open ends of the canbody, squeeze it against the anvils and outwardly bow the edges 'of thefiat parts of the body. This effects a prebending of the body. Upon thenext reciproeation of the feeding devices spring held dogs surfacesadapted to form a concave matrix to engage the outside surface of theflattened can body.

The can body with its slightly bowed open sides is moved at right anglesto its former travel to introduce it into the matrix formed by thereforming rollers by engagement with a lug carried by a conveyor chain.The upper run of this chain moves in a horizontal plane, the chainpassing over vertically disposed sprockets. The upper run moves inbetween bottom flanges of each pair of spaced reforming rollers.

The can body upon being engaged by the lugof the conveyor chain is firstcarried through a series of spaced guiding rollers. These rollers engageoutside of the sharply curved parts of the body and guide the'body alonga straight line path of travel into the first pair of reforming rollers.

. The concave walls of the first pair of reforming rollers present anentrance opening or mouth for the reforming matrix which issubstantially oval in shape. The opposed side walls of the rollers areslightly closer together than the engaging walls of theguiding rollersand a partial bending of the can body results. In other words, the bodyis altered in cross section from the flattened oval shape into a moreroundedshape as it passes through the rollers.

These rollers are rotated at a uniform speed which is slightly greaterthan the conveyor chain speed and this'increased speed causes therollers to pick up and move the can body so that it momentarily leavesthe engaged lug of the conveyor chain. As soon as the can body haspassed through the first pair of reforming rollers it pauses in itstravel.

When the chain lug catches up it pushes the can body into the next setof rollers which again draw the body forward further bending orreforming it. In like manner the body is fed to each pair of rollerswhich successively engage and further reform it. The concave walls ofthe last pair of rollers present a true circular pass and the can bodyupon emerging from them is in its final cylindrical form.

The principal parts of the apparatus are carried in and on a frame orcasing 2! (Figs. 1 and 2) which is supported by legs 22. The reformingroller section of the machine, which covers an area over half the entireextent, is supported upon a casing cover 23 which rests upon the casing2|. The casing is also provided with a table section 24 which extends ina horizontal plane below the plane of the cover 23.

The table at its inner end (Fig. 3) supports a flange 25 of the casingcover 23. The magazine for the flattened can bodies and the prebendingcan body devices are both carried on the table section 2%. A magazineframe 3! is provided for directly supporting these parts and is formedwith a horizontal table top section.

The magazine for the flattened can bodies (the bodies being designatedby the numeral 35) comprises spaced vertically extending brackets 36(Figs. 1, 2 and 4) which are mounted upon and secured to the magazineframe 35 by bolts 31. This constitutes station A. The inner verticalfaces of the magazine brackets as are vertically grooved at 38 toprovide clearance for free vertical movement of the flattened can bodieswhile retaining them in the stack. The can bodies 35 are formed withfiat side parts 3! (Figs. 4 and which are joined by sharply curvedconnecting parts 52.

Two grooves 45 (Figs. 1 and 3) are formed in the flat table part of themagazine frame 3! to provide a working support for the can body feedingdevices and these grooves extend transversely of and beneath themagazine. A pair of feed bars 46 (see also Figs. 4 and 5) are located inthe grooves -35 and move back and forth to effect the removal of asingle flattened can body 35 from the magazine and to effect a transferof the body into the reforming station. The bars 35 at their rear endsare secured to a block ll which moves within a slot 33 cut in themagazine frame 3 I.

The feed bars 56 are moved back and forth by connection with acontinuously rotating shaft 61, the block ll being pivotally connectedat :39 to one end of a link 55 which is pivotally connected at 52 to theupper end of a lever 53. Lever 53 is mounted for oscillation on a shaftM which is carried by a bracket 55 bolted on the casing 2|.

The lever 53 is pivotally connected at 6! to a ball and socket jointunit 62 which is threadedly secured to one end of a connecting rod Thisrod carries a similar ball and socket joint unit 6 3 carried on a bolt55 (Fig. l) which is secured to a disc 56 (see also Fig. 4) carried onone end of the horizontal shaft 87. The shaft 6'! extends at a slightangle to the center line of the casing 2i and is associated with thereforming matrix as will be more fully disclosed. Shaft Gl' isjournalled in a bracket 68 mounted on the table 26 and in split bearings69 formed in the casing 2! and the cover 23.

The shaft El carries a spiral gear ll (Fig. 1) which meshes with asimilar gear located directly beneath and secured to a horizontal driveshaft l2 which extends cross wise of the casing 2i and is journaled inbearings '53 formed in its side walls. The shaft if is rotated in anysuitable manner as by application of-power. to a drive pulley 14 carriedon one end. I

- The eccentric mounting of the bolt 65 on the disc 66 effects a crankmotion whichdmparts reciprocating moveinentto the 'rod63, the lever 53and the feed bars '46.

Each bar 46 carries a'fii red feeding dog or finger block i5 (Figs. 1and 4') which. is formed with a curved front end I6. When the feed bars46 and fingers i5 are in'the rear position, thisbeing at the end of theback stroke of the feeding device (Fig 5) the forward edges arealongside and directly back of the lowermost. flattened can body 35resting in the magazine. This lowermost body supports the rest ofthestack of bodies and at such time rests directlyupon the upper surface ofthe table part of themagazine frame.

Upon forward movement of the feed bars 46 the forward edges 16 of thefeeding dogs or blocks 15 engage behind the sharply curved part 42 ofthe lowermost body and. move it laterally ortoward the left (Fig. 5).The lower ends'of the'maga-- zine walls 38 extend downwardly a'distancesufficient to prevent similar movement of the other superimposed canbodiesresting in'the magazine. The remaining bodies in the stack arethen supported upon the top surface of the blocks "l5 as illustrated inFig. 4. I I

At the forward end of the stroke theblocks 15 position theseparated canbody at the prebending station B. During this movement of a can body 35from"themagazine (station A) to the prebending station B it is guidedina straight line between side plates TI (Figs. 1 and 4) secured at I8tothe magazine frame. A horizontal top guide bar 19 is mounted above thepath of travel and finger 85 is provided with a notch 88 audit is theyoke and engages a cam roller 96 loosely .thispart of the finger thatengages the forward takes place.

the yoke 93 and a supporting eye 99 carried in curved part 42 of thebody when the checking to bring the fingers 85 fromthe idle positionillustrated in Fig. 5 into the checking position illustrated in Fig. 4.e

Oscillation of the shaft 85 is e'fiected by a cam, gear and rack unitwhich coi'nprises a gear pinion 9! securedto the shaft 86 and locatedbetween the fingers 85. The teeth of this pinion are engaged'by rackteeth 2 'forined in theupper-end of a cam yoke 93. The lower'end of theyoke straddles a horizontal shaft 94.

A cam 95 is mounted on the shaft 94 adjacent mounted ona stud QIcarriedby the yoke 93. A spring 98 interposed between the lower end of thetable part 24 of the casing 21.

The shaft 94 is a companion to the shaft 61 and also extends in ahorizontal plane andlengthwis'e of the casing but onthe opposite side ofthe center "line. This shaft is] also located at a slight angle to thecenter line and is iournaled'forrotation in end 21.

In this action the shaft 86 is moved tionary for the prebendingoperation.

The shaft 94, like its companion shaft'BL'receives rotation from thedrive shaft I2 and for this purpose carries a spiral gear IE5 whichmeshes with a spiral gear I36 mounted on the shaft 12. The non-parallelposition of the shafts allows for proper location of driving gearsimparting rotation to the diiierent rollers of the reforming matrix.This will be more evident as the description proceeds.

The can body in its centered posit-ionlaterally between the feeding dogsand the fingers is longitudinally centered between a pair of holding andbending die units and is ready for the first of the operations at theprebending station.

The elementsfof the holding and bending die units are carried on a pairof spaced slides '5 iii (Figs. 3 and 6) which are located on. oppositesides of the open. ends of the can body. These slides have movementtoward and away from the can body and slide within guideways i it formedin the magazine frame 3i.

The elements carried by the slides H0 include shaped bend to its edges.These parts will now be described in detail.

Each slide H8 is moved back and'forth under a cam control and for thispurpose a boss H2 projects downwardly from the lower face of the slideand carries a stud I i3 on which a cam roller H4 is rotatably mounted.This roller. operates in a groove I I5 of a barrel earn 5 IE mountedupon and keyed to the shaft 94.

The slides Iii) move outwardly into open position as aflattened canbodyis brought into place and inwardly to effect the bending operation.The slides H0 are retained in the grooves II I by plates. IZI mountedupon the magazine frame 35 and projecting over and on top of the sideedges ofthe slides. The magazine frame 3i is cut away.

at I22 to allow clearance for the sliding movement of the bosses H2.

An anvil. I25 (Figs. 3, 5, '7 and ll) is secured by bolts I25 on thefront or inner end of each slide I 99, and isformed with a tapered orpointed Each slide I I El also carriesa pair of spaced can centeringspears which project ahead of the pointed end I27 of each anvil. Eachspear is formed with a pointed endlZQ. During the inward movement of thes ides sheep-ears pass I34 arranged in alignment with the members Tl andon the opposite side of the prebending sta-;

tion. The plates I33, i3 5 are suitabiy mounted upon stationary partscarried by the magazine frame table.

The centering spears B23 move into the rounded curved parts 42 of thefiat can body as it rests at the prebending station, the pair of on eachslide H0 moving toward those on the other slide. The entering posit-ionis illustrated in Figs. '7 and 10. The centered position of the spearsinopposite sides of the opsnends of flattened can body is illustrated inFigs- 8 and 11. I

Continued movement of the slides H5 brings the pointed ends Iii of theopposed anvils 525 into the open ends of the can body. and into theposition illustrated in Figs. 9 and 12 This posi tion is assumed whenthe slides Iii) reach their innermost travel. The slides then remainstacarried on the lug M2.

The bending die members previously referred to comprise an upper die armI35 (Figs. 1, 3 and 7) and a lower die arm I36, there being one upperand one lower arm on each slide III The upper arm I35 is pivoted on apin I3? which is carried in a pair of spaced lugs I38 projectingupwardly from the slide. In a similar manner the lower arm I36 ispivoted on a pin MI carried in spaced lugs I G2 which are projecteddownwardly from the body of the slide. Each arm I35 carries a bendingdie I43 and a similar die Hi5 is'carried on the inner end of the armI35.

The dies M3, M5 are in separated position (Figs. '7, 8 and 10) duringthe positioning of the can body upon the anvils I25 but are adapted tobe moved by movement of the arms I35, I36. For this purpose arm I35 isformed with an extension I I8 which projects at right angles to the mainbody of the arm and extends over and behind the .slide III).

A spring M9 is interposed between this extension I48 of the arm and aconnecting eyeItI This spring normally holds the forward end of the armI35 in raised position and the die I 4-3 separated from and di- Ilflandlimits the amount of the pivotal-move ment of the arm on its pin I37.

A springISE is interposed between the lower surface of the slide Iii!and the arm I35 and exerts a force which normally holds the arm in itslowered position with the die I45 separated from and directly beneathits associated anvil I25. A setscrew I56 carried in the arm I36 provides a stop by engaging the lower surface of the slide I It and limitsthe amount of pivotal movement of the arm on its pin MI Each cam II5(Figs. 3 and 9) is formed with a lateral web I III which projects fromits outer face and is slotted at I62 to provide clearance for a rollerI63 pivotally mounted on a pin IG i carried in the web. At a point ineach rotation of the cam IIS, the roller I53 is brought adjacent theextension I 'III of the arm I35 and engages a striking block I65 securedby a bolt I513 to the lower end of the extension and causes the arm I35to reckon its pivot IS'I. I

A second web I 68 is formed on the inner face of each cam IIS and isdirectly opposite to the "the block I65 just described, the roller IN isvmoving adjacent the lower arm I36 and at such time engages the undersurf-ace of the arm, causing it to move on its pivot I II against theaction of the spring I55.

These simultaneous movements of the arms I35, I36 cause their respectivebending dies I 33, M5 to engage the edges of the flat portions II of thecan body as it rests upon the anvils I25 and to impress an outward bowedform in the can body. This position of the .dies and associated parts isillustrated in Fig. 12.

It will be observed that the upper face of each anvil IE5 is slightlycurved as at H5 and that the lower face of the anvil is similarly curvedas at I16. The body engaging surfaces of the dies M3 are also curved asat IT? and this curved surface cooperates with the surface I to effectthe proper bowing of the can body. In a similar way the .upper engagingsurface of the die M5 is curved .the forward end of each slot.

as at I18 to-correspond with the surface I'IB of the anvil, and thesecooperating curved surfaces produce the bowed form of the can body,illustrated in Fig. 12.

The can body is now in condition for reforming the bowed shape of thebody, holding its fiat walls II separated so that it will be moreaccurately and more evenly opened when passed through thereformingmatrix. Upon separation of the dies and withdrawal of the anvils andcentering spear members, the body is redeposited upon the table of themagazine frame 3i At this time the feed bars 56 are in their rearposition and the centering fingers are in lowered position, asillustrated in Fig. 5.

Each feed bar IS is slotted at its forward end as at I85 and a springheld dog I86 is located in This dog is pivoted on a pin I37 and its rearend normally engages the fioor of the slot, being held in such positionby a spring I88. In this position a forward curved end I89 is raised andis directly behind the rear curved edge 52 of the bowed can body.

On the next forward movement of the feed bars 6-3 which immediatelyfollows, the dogs I85 engage the bowed body and move it to the left(into position C,-Fig. 5) and out of the prebending station B as thefinger blocks Ibbring the next can body into position at this station.

During this movement the can body is guided' between the members I33,I3I (Fig. 1) and is held down by the top guide bar I9 which extends allgitudinally of the reforming matrix and along its line of center andassists in the proper fee-ding movement of the can bodies into each pairor set of rollers. This conveyor chain (designated by the numeral I9I,Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4) operates over anidler sprocket I92 at the entranceend of the reforming matrix and a drive sprocket I93 at the dischargeend. The upper or feeding run of the chain IQI passes over the framecover 23 and directly below the reforming rollers and its lower orreturn run passes through and inside of the casing 2 I.

Spaced lugs I94 are carried on the chain I9I and as the can body isbrought into position at station C it moves laterally of and between twoadjacent lugs. These lugs are spaced apart a distance in excess of thecan body height and the lug directly back of the can body at the timeimmediately engages behind one open edge and advances it toward thereforming matrix, this movement being at right angles to the can bodypath between stations A, B and C.

The sprocket I92 is mounted on a stud I95 which is supported in abracket I 96 mounted upon and secured by bolts I 9? to the table section24 of the casing 2|. The drive sprocket I93 is keyed to a horizontalshaft I98 which is journalled in a bearing I99 formed in a bracket 25Hbolted to the side of the casing 2 I. The shaft I98 also carries a bevelgear 262 which meshes with a bevel pinion 203 carried on the end of theshaft 7 94.. This gear connectioncontinuously moves the chain I91 in itspath of travel.

The casing 2! is formed with a raised rectan gular section 2 (Figs. 1and2) whichprovides a support for three pairsof guiding. rollers 2l2 ata station D. These rollers are idly mounted 7 upon vertical studs 2 itcarried bythe frame part 2| l.. The moving conveyor chain I91 carriesthe can body through these guiding rollers, the lug of the chain restingagainst the body edge. Confully bow the can bodies and bring theircurved parts closer together before introduction into the reformingrollers. When this is done the guiding rollers 22! function asreforming-rollers.

The reforming, matrix extends from .a station illustrate five pairs or:sets of reforming rollers for the reforming matrix. All of theserollersare similarly mounted and each roller of apair or setis located onopposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the matrix from itsassociated roller,

The first pair of reforming rollers, designated by the numeral 22! (seealso Fig. 4) is located directly in front of the last pair of guiderollers Rollers 22! arejformed with concave surfaces 222 and the spaced,opposed surfaces of the rollers provide a substantially fiatovaljopening or entrance for the reforming matrix. It is into this ovalmouth that the bowed can body is moved by the conveyor chain 59!. s Thethree intermediate pairs of reforming rollers are designated by thenumeral 223 and the final pair of rollers by the numeral 224. All ofthese rollers are also formed with concave surfaces 222. g Each pair ofrollers beginning with those adjacentthe entrancerollers 22! and thentaking adjacent sets in order, are mounted upon ver-.

tical axes which are spaced closer to each other. The axes of the finalrollers 224 are the closest together. position of the shafts B1, 9l'previously referred to and permits the. axes of the shafts passing]parallel with a vertical plane which takes in the axes of the reformingrollers. rollers 22! are shorter in height than anyof the other rollersand each pair progressively increases in body height toward the exit endof the matrix.

The space between the concave surfaces of each; set of rollers thereforeprovides a different cross;

section to the reforming matrix which, excepting the final rollers, isof oval shape with the vertical orshort axes increasing asthe horizontalor long axes decrease.

The concave surfaces of the final rollers224 present a true circle forthe discharge end of the matrix.

As the can body movesthrough the reforming matrix it successivelyengagestheconcave surx faces of the pairs of spaced rollers and movesthrough the rollers with the outside bodywall surface engaged by theconcave roller surfaces 222. The shape of the can body during this pas-,

sage through the matrix progressively changes; from the oval formintothe final cylindrical form.

This accounts/for the non-parallel.

The entrance at a speed of travel which produces alineal travel of theconcave surfaces 222 in excessof the. lineal travel of the conveyorchain l9l. The result of thisdiflerence in travel speed. between rollerand chain causes each opposed roller set upon engaging the outer surfaceof the can body to draw the body through the rollers at a speed whichmoves it way from the chain lug I94. l i

As soon as each set of rotating rollers has carried the can bodytherethrough the body comes to a momentary pausein its traveluntil thelug 94 on the chaincatches upwith the body. When this takes. place thecan. body is again moved forward by the chain and its forward openend-is inserted into the next pair of reforming rollers.

Each reforming roller 22!, 223, 226 is mounted upon a vertical shaft 23lwhich is journalled in bearings 232 formed in the cover plate 23. Eachshaft 23| carries a spiral gear 235 which meshes with a similar gear 236located upon either the shaft 61 or the shaft 94.

These'spiral gear sets insure the proper rotation of. the rollers toper- 7 form-the reforming action just described.

- The upper flange of each reforming roller is of a diameter to cause itto practically touch the upper flange of the associated roller of theset. Its lower flange, however, isof smaller diameter and this leaves aspace between the peripheries of the lower flanges of each roller set.The lugs [94 of the conveyorchain |9| pass'in between the rollers andthrough the clearance space between the lower flanges.

As the can body passes through each set of rollers and as it comes tothe momentary pause described awaiting the lug I94 of the chain l9l, itis held against displacement by guide walls 24! formed in horizontalplates 242 bolted to and resting upon the frame cover 23.

Each body as it is brought into cylindrical form and is discharged fromthe final pair of rollers 224 moves upon a pair of supporting bars 26land beneath a top guide bar 262. The top guide bar and one of thesupporting bars are held in a bracket section 283 formed as an integralpart of one of the guide plates 242; The other supporting bar 26! isheld in a bracketfli lv carried by the other guide plate 242. Theconveyorchain ,lQi moves the reformed can body along the bars,

25L 262 and from these bars the body may be removed in any suitablemanner.

It is thought that'the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoingdescription, and it will beapparent that variouschangesmay be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention orsacrificing all' of its material advantagesg the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

Iclaim: V 1. In a machine for reforming caribodies provided with'relatively flat side parts joined by sharply curvedconnecting parts, thecombination of' a. reforming matrix through which the" can bodies ,pass,the walls of said matrix forming a substantially flat oval entrance forreceiving the flat can-bodiesand gradually merging intoa substantiallycirculardischarge opening, these mag trixwalls engaging both the sharplycurved parts of thecan bodies and the flat side parts-and progressivelybending the same into the desired cylindrical curvature, and conveyingmeans for propelling said bodies through said matrix during thereformingoperation. V V l v 2.; Ina machine" for reforming can bodies: pro-,

vided with relatively fiat side parts joined by sharply curvedconnecting parts, the combination of means reforming said flat canbodies into. desired shape, a magazine for containingsaid fiat bodies instack formation, and feeding means first engaging a sharplycurved'connecting part of a said body for removing it from the stack andthereafterengaging an edge of said body to feed it to said reformingmeans, and means for en- ;gaging the rear edges of the can bodies andpropelling them through said reforming means.

3. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flatside parts joined by sharply curved connectingparts, the combination .ofconcave means reforming said flat can bodies into desired shape, amagazine for containing said fiat bodies in stack formation, and meansengaging a sharply curved connecting part of the lowermost can body insaid magazine and removing for the reforming operation by said reformingmeans, and means for engaging the rear edges of the can bodies andpropelling them through said reforming means.

4. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively fiatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofpreliminarily acting reforming devices engaging within and without theflattened can body, and subsequently acting reforming devices engagingonly the outer surface of the body.

5. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofpreliminarily and subsequently acting reform- "ng devices, saidpreliminarily acting referraing devices comprising internally andexternally acting pressure elements changing the curvature of saidsharply curved connecting parts, and means for engaging the rear edgesof the can bodies and propelling them through said reforming means.

6. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively fiatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofpreliminarily and subsequently acting reforming devices, saidpreliminarily acting reforming devices comprising internally andexternally acting pressure elements changing the curvature of saidsharply curved connecting parts and giving a measured predetermined bowto said fiat parts of said body.

.7. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofa magazinefor holding the flat can bodies in stack formation,preliminary bending mechanism, including die members for impressingoutward bows in the fiat sides of the said can bodies, a reformingmatrix through 1 which the can bodies pass for the reforming operation,and feeding devices for removing single can bodies from said magazinefor feeding them into said mechanism and for feeding the partially bowedcan bodies to said reforming matrix.

8; In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofa magazine for holding the flat can bodies in stack formation,preliminary bending -mechanism adjacent said magazine and includingbending die members for impressing outward bows in the fiat sides of thesaid can bodies, a reforming matrix through which the can bodies passfor the reforming operation, intermittent yfeeding devices'operatingagainst the sharply curved can body parts for removing single can'bodies from said magazine and feeding them first to said mechanism andthen to said reformingmatrix, and continuously moving conveying meansoperating against end edges of said can bodies for propelling them intosaid matrix.

9. In a machine forreforming can bodies pro-- vided with relatively flatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofa magazine for holding the flat can bodies in stack formation,preliminary bending mechanism, including bending die members forimpressing outward bows in the fiat sides of the said can bodies, areforming matrix through which the can bodies pass in the reformingoperation, feeding devices operating against the sharply curved can bodyparts for removing single can bodies from said magazine and for feedingthem into and through said mechanism and into alignment with theentrance end of said reforming matrix, and conveying means operating atright angles to the line of travel of the can bodies while moving withsaid feeding devices for propelling said can bodies into and throughsaid matrix.

10. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofa reforming matrix embodying a plurality of pairs of associated elementsthrough which the can bodies pass, the walls of successive matrixelements presenting progressive shapes from a. substantially flat o-valat the receiving end of said matrix to substantially a circle at thedischarge end, these matrix walls progressively bending and reformingthe can bodies into the desired cylindrical form, and means for passingsaid bodies successively through said matrix elements during thereforming operation the while keeping them separated.

11. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofa plurality of reforming rollers providing a reforming matrix throughwhich the can bodies pass and by which flat can bodies are reformed intosubstantially cylindrical shape, actuating means for rotating saidrollers at a uniform speed and means for conveying said can bodiesthrough said reforming matrix, said means having a speed of movementwhich is less than the speed of rotation of said rollers.

12. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively fiatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofa plurality of pairs of reforming rollers providing a reforming matrixthrough which flat can bodies pass and by which they are reformed intosubstantially cylindrical shape, actuating means for rotating saidrollers at a uniform speed, and means for conveying said can bodiesthrough said reforming matrix by presenting them successively to eachpair of rollers at a speed of movement which is less than the speed ofrotation of said rollers.

13. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flatside parts joined by speed of travel less than the speed of rotation ofsaid rollers for transferring the can bodies from one pair of reformingrollers into those next adjacent.

.5 71a. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relativelyflat side walls joined by sharply curved connecting parts, thecombination of a magazine for holding the flat can bodies in stackformation, preliminary bendingfmechm 10 nism, including bending diemembers for impressing outward bows in the flat sides of the said canbodies, a reforming matrix embodying a plurality of sets of reformingrollers through which the can bodies pass and by means of which 15 theyare brought into cylindrical shape, feeding devices operating againstthe sharply curved can body parts for removing single can bodies fromsaid magazine and for feeding them into and through said bendingmechanism and into alignment with the said reforming rollers, andconveying means operating longitudinally of said reforming matrix andpassing between each set of reforming rollers for transferring the can25 reforming operation.

15. A machine for reforming can bodies prosharply curved connectingparts, the combination of a magazine for holding fiat can bodies instack formation, bending mechanism located adjacent said magazine, andincluding spaced die vices operating against a sharply curve-d can bodypart for removing a single can body from said magazine and for feedingit into said mechanism between said anvils and in. alignmentwith thesaid die members, devices for centering said positioned can body on saidanvils, actuating means for operating said die members which, incooperation with said anvils, impress outward bows in the flat sides ofthe said can body, and a reforming matrix for receiving said bowed canbodies and for reforming them into the desired shape.

: 16. In a machine for reforming can bodies probodies between adjacentroller sets during the vided with relatively flat sidewalls joined bymembers and a pair of spaced anvils, feeding de vided with relativelyflat side parts joined by' sharply curved connecting parts, thecombination of preliminarily acting centering devices adapted to enterinto a flat can body, and means intermediate said centering devices forbowing the fiat sides of said can body, said bowing means stretching thematerial of the body on said centering devices to increase the radius ofcurvature of said sharply curved connecting parts of said can body, anelongated concave matrix, and means 'for pushing the can through saidmatrix.

18. In a machine for reforming can bodies provided with relatively flatside parts joined by sharply curved connecting parts, the combination ofpreliminarily acting centering devices adapted to enter into a flat canbody, and means intermediate said centering devices for bowing the flatsides of said can body, said bowing means stretching the material of thebody on said cen- V tering devices to increase the radius of curvatureof said sharply curved connecting parts of said can body, andcooperating external die members.

19. In a machine for reforming canbodies, the combination'of a series ofpairs of concave reforming rolls having their concaves opposite to eachother and forming an elongated concave matrix, means for rotating saidrolls, and a conveyer having means for pushing the can bodies from onepair to the next pair'of reforming rolls, said concave matrix varyingfrom a flattened to substantially circular form, said conveyer having aspeed of movement which is less than the speed of rotation of saidrolls.V

JAMES A. GRAY.

